Jane Austen would spin in her nearly 200-year-old grave at the crude and broad movie made in her name.

Knowing it already has the attention of the hardcore fans of her books such as "Persuasion," "Pride and Prejudice," and "Sense and Sensibility," "Austenland" sets its sights on the mass audience — and fails both groups. | Sept. 5, 2013»Read Full Article

Eric McKeever is in the Skylight Music Theatre's production of "El Cimarron."

Like Tina Turner, the Skylight Music Theatre never does anything nice and easy.

As Exhibit A, take "El Cimarrón," which opens Friday in Broadway Theatre Center's intimate Studio Theatre, 158 N. Broadway. The late Hans Werner Henze called his composition, for a bass-baritone singer, a flutist, a percussionist and a guitarist, a recital for four musicians, and that's how it's often performed. | Jan. 1, 2014»Read Full Article

With a new year comes a fresh start, and hopes and dreams for what might be in 2014. Emmy love for an oft-overlooked show. A shake-up in country music. A restraining order preventing Miley Cyrus' foam finger from entering the BMO Harris Bradley Center for her March 9 show. These are just three out of 30 things we hope will happen — or won't happen — in arts and entertainment in 2014. | Jan. 1, 2014»Read Full Article(1)

"Intercession," published in The New Yorker in 1958, was the first of Updike's many published stories and essays about golf. In a 2009 tribute piece Golf Digest (for which Updike wrote a number of essays) wrote: | Jan. 1, 2014»Read Full Blog Post

So, what's going on today, this first day of a new year in Milwaukee. Well, there is the traditional (read: crazy) Polar Bear Plunge. Any event which incidates a "sleeping bag is highly recommended" has got to be a little extreme. That happens at Bradford Beach at noon sharp. If you're going in, read this first for your own health. | Jan. 1, 2014»Read Full Blog Post